Disgraced MP Margaret Ferrier has lost an appeal to have her suspension from the Commons overturned for breaking covid rules.
The decision means a pivotal by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West has moved a step closer.
In a damning report, a panel concluded: "She acted with blatant and deliberate dishonest intent. She acted with a high degree of recklessness to the public and to colleagues and staff at the House of Commons. She acted selfishly, putting her own interests above the public interest."
Ferrier, who sits as an independent after losing the SNP whip, received a community payback order after she admitted travelling by train from London to Scotland following a positive covid test in 2020.
A Westminster standards watchdog then recommended a 30 day suspension - a sanction she appealed.
An appeal to parliament’s Independent Expert Panel has now been rejected.
The report stated: "For the reasons set out in its decision, section 2 of this Report, the sub-panel dismissed Ms Ferrier’s appeal at the first stage of appeal, that, while the grounds fell broadly within the grounds of appeal as set out in the Procedural Protocol, none of the grounds had substance and the sanction imposed was neither unreasonable nor disproportionate."
The panel concluded: "The Committee’s recommended sanction is upheld."
Ferrier has not indicated any intention to stand down, but Westminster insiders believe a by-election is highly likely.
If the suspension is agreed by a vote in the Commons, it would automatically trigger a recall petition, which if successful would see her sacked as an MP and an election in the seat called.
Labour, who selected teacher Michael Shanks to fight any by-election, believes they can take a seat they last won in 2017.
Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: "With this news, the by-election that the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West need has moved one step closer.
“It is simply disgraceful that this community has been left without proper representation due to the actions of Margaret Ferrier.
“Only by electing Michael Shanks as Scottish Labour MP for Rutherglen and Hamilton West can the people of the area get the representation and the clean start that they deserve.
“At the coming by-election, only Scottish Labour is standing for change. Join us on that journey.”
Tory MSP Graham Simpson said: “Margaret Ferrier’s actions at height of the pandemic were reckless. Now that she’s ultimately lost her appeal, she should do the right thing and resign as a MP now.
“Instead, it looks like she will brazenly continue to take her MP salary until the bitter end.
“Those in her constituency who were making great sacrifices during Covid will understandably be pleased she has lost this appeal against her punishment and will be looking forward to delivering their verdict at the ballot box.
“With that by-election now looking likely to take place, the Scottish Conservatives will look forward to speaking to voters in Rutherglen about the real priorities facing them – such as the cost-of-living crisis, fixing our NHS and strengthening the economy – rather than the SNP’s push for another divisive independence referendum.”
An SNP spokesperson said:
"There must now be a by-election in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, which the SNP has been calling for since Ms Ferrier's covid rule breach first came to light in 2020.
"The SNP is ready to take the fight to the Tories and pro-Brexit Labour Party at that by-election - and we will be putting the cost of living, NHS and independence at the heart of our campaign.
"We will be working hard for every vote to ensure the people of Rutherglen and Hamilton West can have a strong SNP MP to stand up for their interests locally and for Scotland."
Ferrier won the seat in 2019 with a 5,230 majority.
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